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My puppy is breathing fast and not her usual self. Is it serious?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My puppy has been breathing fast and has not been her normal happy self all day. What does that mean?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 28th, 2018

Breathing fast can indicate that she has respiratory problems such as pneumonia, or can simply indicate that she is pain. The fact that she is not acting herself definitely shows that something is wrong, but these two problems are not specific to any one disease. Considering breathing problems can quickly become life-threatening, it's best to have her seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. The vet will be able to help narrow-down the cause of these recent problems and can advise on any necessary testing and/or treatment. If you have further questions or need further clarification, then you may consider having an online consult with one of our vets on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This way, you can send unlimited pictures and have a text conversation with a vet. I hope that helps and she gets better soon.

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